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“Why would you even want to be with someone like her?” Spin asked.
“It seems we have a lot in common—aside from our tastes in music.”
Spin didn’t see that they had anything in common. Except maybe their wealth. “Is it because she's rich like you?”
He grimaced. Spin knew it was the height of ill-breeding to discuss money out in the open. But what could she say? Her beginnings were low.
“You know, there’s probably an eHarmony for rich people to help them find each other."
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “There probably is. But I’ve already met her. I just wanted to see if she might be a match already here in real life.”
"You could probably get any girl you want as a duke."
"What if I weren't? Would a woman still be interested in me without my title or my money? If you strip away those things that I was born with and look at what’s left, what then?"
His words hit her. He stood there before her vulnerable and bare. It was only words; she knew it wasn’t reality. But she couldn’t take her eyes off him after he’d peeled back those outer layers and gave her a glimpse into his soul.
“Come on, Spin.” Lark finally broke her silence. “Help a duke out. You can teach him a couple of things over lunch.”
“Where are you staying?” he asked.
“We hadn’t figured that out yet.” Spin began as she looked to Lark who hadn’t agreed to the overnight trip.
“You can stay with me,” said Zhi. "I have a large estate. Plenty of room for you and your friend."
Chapter Eleven
"He's never brought anyone home." Lin’s voice came through loud and clear over the phone even though she wasn’t the one holding the device.
"I didn't know he was dating.” That voice was clearly Allana’s who sounded as though she were standing just behind her sister.
"Is she pretty?" That distant shout came from Mathis, though Zhi would’ve bet the teenager was attempting to whisper the question to those gathered around the phone. "I bet she's a model."
“He said she's not a date." That last voice was Oswald’s. His voice was crisp and clear as he was the one holding the phone to his ear.
Zhi pinched the bridge of his nose as he waited for the fever on the other end of the line to die down. He knew better than to try and talk over his staff when they were firing questions one after the other. They couldn't hear him since he was only in Oswald’s ear. The butler's attention was diverted to the three people around him, and he wouldn’t be listening to Zhi with the cacophony in his other ear.
“She's not a date," Zhi said patiently once he had Oswald’s attention once more. "She's going to be working for me."
"Begging your pardon, Your Grace," said Oswald. "But can we afford that?"
To someone else, it might have been an impertinent question. But to Zhi, it showed respect. He was the one in debt. Oswald, Lin, Allana, and Mathis could all leave that morning if they chose. Instead, they chose to stick by him and his family.
Well, maybe not his entire family. But the staff swore they’d never leave the duchess and young duke as long as they breathed. So, they were all a we. It wasn't just Zhi’s life and his livelihood. If he failed at this, they were all out of luck and out of a home.
After getting Spin’s agreement, Zhi had resolved himself to the course of action. He would find common ground with Parker Paley-Li. He would build a bridge to her heart, and he would treasure her for the rest of her days. With DJ Spin’s help, of course.
Looking up, Zhi saw that the object of his intentions was seeing her guests and employees off as they disembarked from the ship and onto Cordovian soil. Her rainbow hair swished and shimmered as she threw back her head and laughed. She reached out for hugs and turned here and there.
Zhi could definitely see himself with such a sunny and positive person. She was also clearly brilliant in light of the business she’d built. And everyone around her, especially her employees, all adored her. Just another thing they had in common.
Spin and her friend, Lark, were next in line to say their farewells. Zhi’s gaze rested on the young DJ. She was smiling up as her friend chattered on. There was something guarded in that smile. Like the door to her heart was open, but the windows were closed.
“She doesn?
??t require a cash payment,” Zhi said into the phone as he moved closer to the group of women at the edge of the ship. “Only food and lodging. So, we’ll need to make up a room on the second floor.”
There was a moment’s silence as that edict translated. They rarely, more like never, had visitors. Precisely because of what lurked on the third floor. Zhi would have to pray his father stayed lucid and quiet during Spin’s brief stay. He didn’t want his father to slip up and tell his guests the genesis of his interest in dating Parker.
